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Deadly Listeria Food Poisoning: Who is Most at Risk?

Jun 04, 2013

By Dana L. Pitts, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Stephanie strived to take care of herself and her unborn baby. As an ultrasound technologist working with high-risk pregnancies, Stephanie knew more than most what could go wrong during a pregnancy. She knew the risks of Listeria--a germ that can cause food poisoning or worse--after seeing its damaging effects firsthand while working at the hospital. Unfortunately, Stephanie developed listeriosis, an infection caused by eating Listeria-tainted food. Her beautiful son, Michael, delivered brain dead and unable to breathe on his own, died two days later--another casualty of Listeria food poisoning.

Sometimes foods we love and count on for good health are contaminated with germs that cause illness and can be deadly for certain people.

Rare but Deadly

Although Listeria is common in the environment, it rarely causes listeriosis. About 1,600 people in the United States get sick from Listeria each year. While the infection is rare, in 2011, a new source—cantaloupes contaminated with Listeria—caused one of the deadliest foodborne outbreaks in the US.

Most at Risk

Listeria, the third leading cause of death from food poisoning, targets pregnant women and their babies, people with weakened immune systems, and those 65 years or older. Listeria hits these groups the hardest, accounting for at least 90 percent of reported Listeria infections and resulting in higher rates of hospitalization and death than most other foodborne bacteria.

Pregnant women, fetuses, and newborn infantsListeria can pass from a pregnant woman to her fetus or newborn. It can cause miscarriage and still birth; in newborns it can cause bloodstream infection, meningitis, or death. The risk for pregnant women is ten times higher than for the general population. For Hispanic pregnant women, the risk is 24 times higher. More consumption of Mexican-style soft cheese, like queso fresco, may explain the higher rates among Hispanics.

People with weakened immune systemsA weak immune system increases the risk of Listeria infection. Many illnesses can weaken the immune system, including different kinds of cancer, HIV/AIDS, kidney and liver disease. In addition, many medicines can weaken the immune system, including steroids, cancer chemotherapy, and drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Listeria infection occurs more often in this group than in people with strong immune systems.

Listeria Outbreak: Pre-cut celeryin chicken salad served at hospitals sickened 10 people who had other serious health problems. Five of them died as a result.

Adults 65 years or olderListeria can spread through the bloodstream to cause meningitis and often kills. The risk for those 65 years or older is four times higher than for the general population.

Listeria Outbreak: Contaminated whole cantaloupessickened 147 people in 28 states and caused one of the deadliest foodborne outbreaks in the US. There were 33 deaths, mostly in adults over 65, reported during the outbreak.

What Can You Do?

We have made some progress against Listeria. However, we can do more to protect those at higher risk for food poisoning and make food safer for everyone. People at higher risk and those who cook for them can reduce the threat of listeriosis by following these food safety tips.

Dana L. Pittsis the Associate Director of Communications in the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases at the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases of the CDC.